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Patient Care and Music
 Many cultures over time have used music at the bedside to help alleviate emotional, spiritual, psychological and physical suffering. Music at the bedside has seen a rebirth over the last two decades, adding a dimension of care to other modalities used to promote comfort in seriously ill patients.
Hospicare and Palliative Care Services initiated a grant-funded music program in January 2006, coordinated by Jayne Demakos, a professional pianist and harpist. Working with local musicians who donate their talents, Jayne seeks to develop ways in which music can address the many needs of hospice patients.
The music program utilizes instruments and voice to:
- provide comfort
- ease physical symptoms such as restlessness, agitation and sleeplessness and some physical discomfort (music is deeply effective combined with massage, physical therapy, range of motion exercises, etc.)
- help ease difficult emotions
- act as a calming presence during stressful medical procedures
- offer emotional nourishment for patients and family members
- provide enjoyment and pleasure
In addition, the music program:
- offers Sunday Musicales four times (seasonally) throughout the year. These are opportunities for all in our community to enjoy fine music in a restful setting
- provides music for monthly staff memorial services
- provides music for Hospicare's annual Memorial Service and some bereavement support groups
We are pleased to have a talented and diverse roster of volunteer musicians who can offer personalized musical support from jazz and classical to blue grass and funk if that's what seems appropriate and helpful.
For additional information about music in palliative care:
musictherapy.cc
hospicemusictherapy.org
jama.ama-assn.org (search on music)
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